Every four years, The Desert Southwest Conference elects a Conference Lay Leader. The person is nominated by vote of the Lay Members of the Annual Conference at the Laity Session during the years in which General Conference is held. Lay persons who have been members of The United Methodist Church for at least two years and active in congregations of The United Methodist Church for at least four years immediately prior to the year of election are eligible for nomination and election.

The role and ministry of Conference Lay Leader is significant in the life of the Conference, since the Conference Lay Leader is a partner in ministry with the Resident Bishop. The Lay Leader's primary function is to serve as an advocate for the ministry of the laity, in cooperation with the clergy, for the purpose of achieving the Mission of the United Methodist Church. This is accomplished by enabling and supporting lay participation in the planning and decision-making processes of the Conference, Districts and local congregations.

In order to facilitate this role, the Conference Lay Leader, by direction of the Book of Discipline and Desert Southwest Conference rules, serves as a member or leader of eleven different Conference bodies. These include: Covenant Council, Program Cabinet, the Episcopacy Committee, Leadership Ministry Team, Sessions Committee, Clergy and Lay Leadership Committee, Strategic Direction Committee, Spiritual Formation Committee, Communications Commission, Hispanic Ministry Committee and as Chair of the Conference Board of Laity. Additionally, the Lay Leader may serve on the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry at the invitation of the Bishop. Membership on these planning and leadership bodies places the Conference Lay Leader at key tables in the life of the Conference as we work together to discern and implement the Strategic Direction of the Desert Southwest Conference.

The role of Conference Lay Leader requires faith, inspiration, creativity, vision, patience and commitment. Communication skills are important, as is a willingness to be an active and collaborative participant in many different arenas of Conference life and work. A candidate must have, or be willing to acquire, reasonable skills in electronic media in order to be an effective team member with other leaders of the DSC. The ministry of the laity is critical to the success of our Strategic Direction. The Conference Lay Leader must remain focused on the Mission of the UMC to serve as a key worker in creating a world transformed into the Kingdom of God.

In order to apply to be nominated for the position of Conference Lay Leader, please download the following nomination form, complete it, and then submit it either electronically or by mail (instructions are found on the PDF document, which requires that Adobe Reader be installed on your computer):

• Conference Lay Leader Nomination Form